First there was “aperitiki.” Then there was the wave of tiki-like bars ditching the genre’s appropriative aspects for other fantasies and fandoms, like outer space and death metal. Now, it seems, we’ve arrived at another popular mashup: agave + tropical. This pairing of spirits and flavors isn’t new; much of Mexico, after all, has a tropical climate. Newcomers like Daisy in Los Angeles and Cantina Rosa in Chicago are exemplifying the move with their exploration of regional Mexican dishes and drinks along with their use of ingredients like tamarind, sorrel and mango. Tropical bars that primarily serve rum- and gin-based cocktails, meanwhile, have added more tequila- and mezcal-based drinks to their menus, a result of those, Read more